LOCAL STORIES

GUILFORD (NEWS CENTER) --The people in a school district in Piscataquis county have taken the unusual step of voting to close two schools.

AUGUSTA (AP) -- The medical marijuana law approved by Maine voters this week has prompted action by Gov. John Baldacci.

BANGOR (NEWS CENTER) -- Many Bangor area seniors live independently. Some rely on daily phone calls from volunteers at Telecare to check on their well being.

BREWER (NEWS CENTER) -- Brewer has hired a law firm to investigate whether any state conflict of interest laws were violated when the Brewer Housing Authority bought land from a former commissioner.

LINCOLN (NEWS CENTER) -- A day after fire destroyed their office, the owners of Lincoln News say the paper will continue.

TURNER (NEWS CENTER) -- Ten year old Alex Whitehouse learned the Heimlich Maneuver in Cub Scouts. Thank goodness he did.

BANGOR (NEWS CENTER) -- Bangor's city manager is being considered for that same job in Maine's second largest city.

OLD TOWN (NEWS CENTER) -- Firefighters knocked down a structure fire in old town that started in a parked car.

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) -- The Maine National Guard is preparing for its biggest deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan since 540 soldiers from the 133rd Engineer Combat Battalion returned in 2005.

BIDDEFORD (NEWS CENTER) -- Every Tuesday night a group of young people gathers in the basement of the Episcopal Church on South Street. They are members of the Go Greene Crew.

PORTLAND (NEWS CENTER) -- The Maine Turnpike Authority held a meeting with the York Board of Selectmen to present their plans for a new toll plaza in York.
WASHINGTON COUNTY (NEWS CENTER)--A deputy with the Washington County Sheriff's office was hurt Thursday in an accident in the town of Charlotte, just south of Calais.

LINCOLN (NEWS CENTER) -- The building that houses Lincoln's local newspaper was destroyed by fire Thursday night.

BUCKSPORT (NEWS CENTER) -- Verso Paper is hoping a multi-million dollar grant and new products will carry its Bucksport mill through the recession.

BANGOR (NEWS CENTER)-- People can get in a free workout this Saturday at Gold's Gym in bangor as part of an event called "Calorie Burn A Thon".

ORONO (NEWS CENTER)--Peace activisit and author, David Swanson visited the University of Maine in Orono Thursday.

NEWBURGH (NEWS CENTER)--The man who gave illegal drugs to minors at his home in Newburgh last March has been sentenced to 6 months in jail.

PORTLAND (NEWS CENTER) -- Maine native Contessa Brewer brought her show on the road this week.

(NEWS CENTER) -- Recapping the 2009 election is the topic of this week's In the Arena. Joining Pat Callaghan are Bill Nemitz of the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram and Ray Richardson, co-host of the Ray and Ted Show on News/Talk WLOB Radio.

AUGUSTA (AP) -- Maine's public health director says swine flu's been confirmed in all 16 of the state's counties and vaccination clinics are continuing in scores of schools.